Sarah Jane Moyle Creer Grant

Sarah Jane Moyle Creer Grant—better known as Sally to us all—passed away on May 21, 2022, surrounded by her loving family after her fragile heart and lungs gave out for the final time. With her last breaths, we witnessed a peacefulness and relief come over her gentle, loving face. During those last moments, multiple generations of family held her soft hands, kissed her forehead, and shared their love and appreciation for the wonderful mother and grandmother she has been and for the comfort she has given to each of us. For a few hours that evening, a hospital room was transformed into a sanctuary of love and adoration as Sally was able to say her final goodbyes, both virtually and in person, to so many whose lives she has touched. For that gift of time, we are ever grateful.

Sally was born May 6, 1937 to Frank Creer and Sara Moyle Creer in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the third of six children—an introvert in a boisterous family. Sally’s ancestors cut granite for the Salt Lake LDS Temple and she too was shaped by the area and its mountains. Her childhood summers were spent at Brighton, fishing in Silver Lake, riding horses in the mountains, and only coming home as it got dark. She played with cousins at her grandparents’ farm in rural Cottonwood and learned to swim in Cottonwood lake.

Many who knew Sally remember her as a beautiful skier. She took to it naturally, shunning lessons, she would just follow the good skiers at Alta down the hill. There were only two resorts back then, Brighton and Alta, and she split her time between them, catching a ride up the canyons whenever possible. She would later join the East High and University of Utah ski teams. She lived for skiing and eventually her husband and children would follow her beautiful turns down the slopes.

Sally had adventurous summers too. At age sixteen, her parents sent Sally and sister Alice on a grand tour of Europe and the Middle East, visiting 24 countries in four months. It was unusual for teenagers to travel abroad on their own in 1954 but their father Frank felt it so important that his children see the world. The Deseret News even ran a story about their adventure. She spent summers making beds at Bryce Canyon lodge, waitressing at the Sun Valley Lodge, and scooping ice cream in Hawaii.

Sally said it was at the University of Utah where she truly blossomed – that’s also where she met her future husband, Brooke. Their parents lined them up. When she first met Brooke at the U she thought he was kind of nerdy. But after that first date she was smitten and they dated nonstop. Brooke and Sally were married in 1957 and started their family life in California’s Bay Area.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many ward and stake capacities including Young Women and Relief Society presidencies. She loved serving with the women of the Church. She gathered friends through her church associations and in Pi Beta Phi, Junior League, the Book Worms book club, the Park City Peace House, and the Donner condos.
Sally made her mark on the world with love—she loved people and they loved her. She brought happiness and a warm smile with her wherever she went. Her gift was for listening, generously and thoughtfully, no matter the hour. Her children would curl up in chairs in her bedroom and she would listen to their stories and worries, as Brooke quickly fell asleep. Her children’s friends recount how Sally would listen to their challenges in that same cozy space.

She loved her husband and best friend Brooke and together they took on life through its many ups and the downs. She loved and cared deeply for her five children, and they were the focus of her life. That love and caring extended to her grandchildren, whom she adored. She also loved her many nieces and nephews with that same open and generous heart. She leaves her children and grandchildren alike with a love of mountains, travel, adventure, and laughter.

Sally was blessed to be cared for by dear friend Fernando Enriquez who was by her side for more than a decade and was there as her health waned, and in the last few years by her friend Judy Taylor.

Sally is preceded in death by her husband Brooke Grant, son Preston Grant, brothers John Preston Creer and David Creer, and sister Elizabeth Buehner. She is survived by her sisters Alice Marsh, Caroline Pinney and Joan Creer, her children Elizabeth Grant, Greg (Mel) Grant, Allison (Kenn) Dayton, Pamela (Stephen) Caine and her grandchildren, Devin, Ben, Emily, Zack, Jake, Lizzy, Luke, and Caroline.

Services will be held Friday, May 27th at 11:00am in the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 Wasatch Drive in Salt Lake City. Friends may call the evening prior to the funeral from 6:00-8:00pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, or Friday before the funeral from 9:30-10:45am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to liftandlove.org to support Latter-day Saint LGBTQ individuals and families. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.